Mexican firefighter brigades are ready to travel to Canada to help control both the giant fire in northern Alberta and others in various Canadian provinces.
In a statement to Notimex, Mexican engineer Juan Ramón Cruz Domínguez of the National Forest Commission (Conafor) announced the upcoming arrival of Mexican firefighters.
Cruz Domínguez has been in Canada since last May 26, working as part of the international team of forest fire specialists, in the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) located in the province of Manitoba.
The official confirmed that the 41 Conafor firefighters form various states in Mexico are only waiting for the go-ahead from the CIFFC to leave for Canada.
“Our firefighters come from states such as Baja California, Sonora, Durango, Michoacán, Mexico City, Oaxaca, among others. Until now it seems likely they will be assigned to Fort McMurray, north of Alberta,” Cruz Domínguez said.
In addition to these brigades, another 59 Mexican firefighters have been requested by the government of Alberta directly to the state of Jalisco, with which it has an agreement.
The Mexican brigades will seek to contribute to the effort of combating the fire now known as “The Beast,” the worst in the history of Alberta, which has raged for a month.
ISABEL INCLÁN